LBS asks weight to schedule test ride

[dex]

My first thought was wheelset. Some are just better than others for us bigger folk...and some are just completely out of the question.

This was actually one of the first questions I asked at various shops when I was looking for a road bike earlier this year. i.e. How will my weight factor into my choice of bikes?

The consensus amongst the people I talked to seemed to be that for the type of bike I was looking at (entry level road bikes), bodyweight probably wouldn't be a big factor. And if it was an issue then it would be mostly about the wheels, which is a pretty easy to solve "problem".

Good luck with your search!

[Zen]

Zen, it isn't just the frame. It's the components also. I have a lugged steel frame with a wheelset intended for no more than 150 lbs. 25 mm tires can make a far more comfy ride (for anyone) but especially so for larger folks. I had a mtb bar that was marked for riders under 160 lbs. It's a tad more complicated than just the frame.

The trickle down theory of engineering is heavily applied to bicycling with the lower cost bikes benefiting.

It's not rocket science. Frame. Wheels. Drivetrain.

The consensus amongst the people I talked to seemed to be that for the type of bike I was looking at (entry level road bikes), bodyweight probably wouldn't be a big factor. And if it was an issue then it would be mostly about the wheels, which is a pretty easy to solve "problem".

Good luck with your search!

Yep.

[jobob]

It's not rocket science. Frame. Wheels. Drivetrain.

hmmm ... who's bein' snarky now ?

[Zen]

hmmm ... who's bein' snarky now ?

who called anyone snarky? Besides you
Facts is facts

[uforgot]

It's not rocket science. Frame. Wheels. Drivetrain.

I think Sir Isaac Newton would disagree. I teach physics and heavily incorporate the bicycle in my curriculum. It's a wonderful tool for teaching mechanics and dynamics (motion and forces, and how they interact). Along with the obvious concepts, velocity and friction, you have torque, inertia, center of gravity, and momentum. What changes would a difference in weight, (or you could even go into why a difference in mass...NOT the same as weight) have on a bicycle? It's all physics, my dear. aka rocket science.

[lph]

I would say the more info they ask for the better, they're showing that they want to fit a bike to YOU, not just sell you something expensive.

But hey - weight isn't personal! Just wait until they ask you if you're getting saddle sores, or if you're wearing underwear under your shorts... Just kidding. But be prepared that they may suggest appropriate underwear, or lack thereof.

If you're feeling a tad nervous about the "athletic guys" try scheduling your test ride to some time they don't have lots of customers, and try to avoid the hippest, youngest dudes with the caps on backwards. Pick some nice fatherly type with a belly to help you, he's probably the most experienced biker there anyway... And if you let your excitement over getting a new bike show they'll all love you

[wiseowl]

I have never been asked about my weight, but I figure they size me up when they look at me. How do you find out what the weight limit is for the various parts of your bike? I don't recall seeing anything in any specs- do you dig deep into that big bag of techy documents that come with a new bike? I admit to being nervous that I am on the heavier side for my snazzy carbon bike- the carbon seatpost makes me especially nervous. I am about 20 lbs overweight, but am still a smaller person- but I do worry my bike is rated for someone who is 110 lbs or something! I wouldn't have even thought to worry about aluminum or steel.

And yes, things do get personal! I am still trying to figure how to explain to my (very cute) LBS guy that the seat on my new bike is causing some major discomfort- no, not in the butt...more "to the front" from there!

[KnottedYet]

And yes, things do get personal! I am still trying to figure how to explain to my (very cute) LBS guy that the seat on my new bike is causing some major discomfort- no, not in the butt...more "to the front" from there!

Aw, don't bother explaining to him, explain it to us! There is a saddle section somewhere (Gear and Apparel?) where you can describe your riding style/bike/current saddle/current problem and I bet you dollars to doughnuts a bunch of other women will chime in who've had almost the same experience and they'll tell you how they solved it!

Then you can go to cute LBS dude and say, "I've heard good things about this saddle, can you order me one and give me 30 days to try it?"

Edit: oops, I was off, it's "Gear and Accessories" http://forums.teamestrogen.com/forumdisplay.php?f=72

[bikerz]

Hi TabbyBikes! Welcome to TE!

I had a similar set of concerns when I started cycling about 3 years ago, and i was very nervous and uncomfortable when I first walked into the LBS as an obviously overweight person. No one there asked my actual weight, and I was waaaay too self-conscious to give it out, and it's too bad, because the only thing that was off initially was that the wheels that came with that bike were way too "squishy" for me, and eventually I had to upgrade them to stiffer wheels.

Welcome to the wonderful world of bikes! Speaking for myself, cycling has given me not only some of the most exhilarating moments in recent years, but also some of the hardest (I still have to give myself a little "get over yourself" lecture before appearing in public in lycra! )

But you've been given good advice above - enjoy the process, ask lots of questions, here on TE and at at the LBS, and have fun picking out your next bike! Everyone wants to see pictures, so don't forget your camera!

[Zen]

And yes, things do get personal! I am still trying to figure how to explain to my (very cute) LBS guy that the seat on my new bike is causing some major discomfort- no, not in the butt...more "to the front" from there!

I just tell 'em it hurts my twinkie.
When you get to be an old lady you also get to say whatever you want.
My lbs guy is very cute too. another reason I bought my bike there.

[TabbyBikes]

So, last week I wandered into the store just to look at the Electra Amsterdams and ended up talking to the owner (?) for quite a while. He was GREAT: answered a billion questions, was familiar with all the places I ride, and seemed to think that finding a bike to fit my *height* (5ft) was the only issue facing us. He had me sit on a Cannondale F2 that felt so dramatically different & good that I don't ever want to sit on my bike ever again. He told me to look into Specialized's Globe series, and send them an email when I was ready to test ride.
So I'm feeling very good, and excited, and IMPATIENT for the new job to come through!!!
Thanks for all your help -- I'll keep you all posted.

[sundial]

I just tell 'em it hurts my twinkie.

Hahahahahahaha!!!!!!!!!